British Prime Minister Brown Breaks Silence on Lockerbie Bomber

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he was repulsed by the welcome that Libya gave to the Lockerbie bomber.

It was Brown's first reaction to the homecoming given to Abdul Baset al-Megrahi. The Libyan convicted in the 1988 bombing that killed 270 people was released from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds last week.

Brown says "I was both angry and I was repulsed by the reception."

But Brown says the decision to release the Libyan was up to Scottish officials.

"I want to make absolutely clear, however, that whatever decision was made on compassionate grounds by the Scottish government, our resolve to fight terrorism is absolute," he said. "Our determination to work with other countries to fight and to root out terrorism is total."

The Scottish administration has faced unrelenting criticism from the both the U.S. government and the families of American victims of the airline bombing since it announced the release.

Brown was branded the "invisible man of British politics" for failing to comment on the issue.

He hosted a press conference following talks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He is certain to face tough questioning as the furor grows over the decision to free Libyan Abdul Baset al Megrahi.

Megrahi received a hero's welcome in Libya after being released early from a Scottish jail where he was serving a life sentence.

Tories had accused Brown of being "cowardly" for failing to break his silence on the decision by Scotland's Justice Minister to let Megrahi return home on compassionate grounds.

His release has sparked a bitter diplomatic row with America, where people have been urged to boycott British goods in protest.

Netanyahu is taking part in a series of meetings to discuss the Middle East during a European tour.

He is likely to face renewed demands to halt the expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory.

Brown has repeatedly called for a freeze, warning the issue of settlements is an obstacle to peace in the region.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.